Ultimate Guide to Local Farms in Allen County, Ohio

0 Comments

Finding high-quality food from a local farm is hard! We have found the BEST local farms in Allen County, Ohio and we are excited to share these with you!

For years, we desired to find local options straight from our local farms in North Central Ohio and struggled with finding any resource that provided this information. This list is designed to connect you with the farmers, growers, and producers in Allen County, Ohio.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a small percent for you visiting our site at no cost to you!

What Types of Local Farms Are in Allen County, Ohio?

One of the most common myths about local farms is that you must be “big” and that you grow or raise “a lot”. Just think about the main “farm crop” that you see as you drive the back roads through our county. You are likely thinking about corn, soybeans, or wheat. Although those crops are necessary for our growing economy, they aren’t the only items that are grown, raised, or produced in our community.

We have farmers, growers, and producers of so many sizes that raise various animals, grow many (other) crops, and produce an abundance of different items.

Our farms range in size from backyard homesteads producing garden produce up to farms with several thousand acres of land raising thousands of animals on their properties.

We have large agriculture production farmers that raise beef, pork, and chicken. There are also backyard homesteaders who raise chickens and produce baked goods on their small homesteads.

Before you go further, check out our COMPLETE step-by-step Farm Stand Toolkit to launch and scale your farm stand for more income.

What Do Local Farms Raise in Allen County, Ohio?

Our farmers produce major crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans, and we have many other farms that produce maple syrup, honey and cut flowers.

If you are looking for high-quality dairy or beef or you want to pick up some fresh produce, we have it available in Allen County, Ohio!

Why Shop From Local Farms?

Supporting local farms in Allen County, Ohio is beneficial for your health, the environment, and the local economy.

  1. Local Economy Investment: When you choose to buy from local farms, you support the economic growth of your neighborhood. Local Ohio farmers often reinvest in their communities by purchasing supplies and services from nearby businesses.
  2. Job Creation: Ohio local farmers help to create jobs within local agriculture. Jobs are supported and created at the farm, in local feed stores, and in businesses where farmers shop.
  3. Agritourism: when you choose to buy from a local farm in Ohio and engage in agritourism activities, you help a larger community grow. Agritourism often brings in customers from outside of the community. This promotes a cycle of economic growth leading to stronger, healthier communities and a more sustainable future.

Agritourism and Local Farms in Allen County, Ohio

Buying from local farms in our area builds a strong connection to the community. Here are some key benefits:

Opportunities to Visit Farms

You can visit local farms to meet the farmers, see the growing practices firsthand, and gain a deeper appreciation for where your food comes from.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs

These programs allow you to purchase shares in the farm’s harvest, creating a direct relationship between farmers and you while ensuring a steady market for local produce. To learn more about CSAs, click here.

Local Events & Farmers Markets

Participating in local events and farmers’ markets not only supports local agriculture but also brings community members together, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. We have several amazing farmer’s markets in our community!

Workshops and Farm Tours

Many of our local farms offer workshops and guided tours. This gives you fantastic hands-on learning experiences that deepen your knowledge of our local farming practices.

Supporting local farms in Allen County, Ohio enhances your knowledge and it builds a community that values sustainability. We love supporting and shopping from local farms and know that you will, too!

Where Do Local Farms Sell Products?

Shopping from a local farm is often as easy as emailing the farm or sending them a message on social media. Please know that some of our local farmers would love to connect with you over the phone or face-to-face.

Online

We are proud to offer this website as one resource. Although there are many other online directories dedicated to connecting consumers with local farms, we have found that they desire to help the farmer sell their goods rather than helping you connect directly with them. Always research the resource and learn as much about the farm as you can. Some online services will advertise “local dairy” with pictures of local farmers. However, they won’t tell you about the “bait and switch” as they sell items from other suppliers or other countries! Remember, if you don’t have a local dairy farm near you, then online may be the next best option.

Farmers Markets & Local Events

We love visiting our local farmers’ markets to learn about unique farmers and growers in our community. Farmers markets are a great way to interact directly with the farmer, see their items up close, and learn about their growing practices. When you ask questions about their practices and sample their products, you can make informed decisions about your purchases.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 

CSA programs build a direct relationship between you and farmers. Therefore you support local agriculture and also enjoy seasonal, high-quality meat. To learn more about CSAs, click here.

Farm Direct Sales

This is likely the best option, if available. You can purchase dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, etc. directly from the farm through their on-site farm store or for pickup at their farm location. Due to the time involved, some farmers make their products available at other farm stores in your area. This is how we started offering Hartzler Family Dairy for pickup at our farm. As always, please respect the farmer’s privacy as their farm store is likely where they live.

Tips For Shopping at Your Local Farm

We love when customers come prepared for their purchase even if it is their first time at our farm. We prefer to think about the 3C’s when visiting a local farm.

What Should I Bring to a Local Farm?

Comfortable Shoes

This may seem like an odd idea, but many of our local farms have uneven ground as they are “working farms” where the ground is relatively flat but may be uneven. You should be prepared with closed-toe shoes.

Coolers

If you are buying refrigerated or frozen items, please come prepared with a cooler. There is nothing worse than buying meat at a local farm and not having a way to keep it cool during your drive home.

Cash

As Dave Ramsey would say, cash is king! Remember that you will need a way to buy your goods from your local farms. Many local farm stores are self-service and cash is the simplest form of payment where the farmer doesn’t need to pay service fees for selling items. Some local farms use electronic payment methods such as Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Other farms may have access to a credit card machine.

When Are The Best Times to Visit the Local Farm?

Although the local farm may have specific times that they are open, we have found that some times in the season may be more optimal than others. For instance, to grab fresh produce then you will want to shop during the Summer harvest. Some items are only available seasonally such as pumpkins or maple syrup. Other items like beef, pork, or chicken are likely raised year-round by many farmers.

Please know that the price of some items may change depending on the season or may be adjusted based on the challenges of the growing conditions during a particular year.

Discover Local Farms In Allen County, Ohio

Below is a list of local farms in Allen County, Ohio. We obtained this list from a generous search online and through submissions to our website. As always, please reach out to the farm directly to verify their farming practices and what they raise or grow. Looking for more awesome local farms? Check out the Ohio Local Farm Directory.

If you are a farmer and would like to update the information below or to be added, you can join our Ohio Local Farm Directory or send us a message.

Bluffton

Elida

  • Countryside Greenhouse
  • Farmers Equipment
    • items: agricultural equipment and supplies
    • Address: 6008 Elida Rd, Elida, OH 45807
    • Web: farmerseq.com

Harrod

  • Amherst Greenhouse
    • items: greenhouse and landscaping supplies
    • Address: 644 Co Rd 126, Harrod, OH 45850
    • Web: amherstgreenhouse.com
  • Jones Show Cattle
    • items: beef
    • Address: 9656 Clum Rd, Harrod, OH 45850
  • Old School Farms

Lima

  • Brennco
    • items: swine, animal feed
    • Address: 5230 Grubb Rd N, Lima, OH 45807
    • Web: brennco.net
  • Cool Apple Orchard
    • items: Apple orchard, apples, apple cider
    • Address: 5025 N Cool Rd, Lima, OH 45807
    • Web: coolappleorchard.com
  • Dry Creek Farms Boer Goats
    • items: goats
    • Address: 5205 Mowery Rd, Lima, OH 45801
  • Goodmans Dairy Farm
    • items: dairy
    • Address: 4600 Ottawa Rd, Lima, OH 45801
  • JK Orchard and Farm, LLC
    • items: strawberries, cut flowers, wildflowers, pumpkins, Christmas trees
    • Address: 1345 Lutz Rd, Lima, OH 45801
    • Web: jkorchardfarm.com
  • Meadowbrook Farm
    • Items:
    • Address: 2790 E Hanthorn Rd, Lima, OH 45804
  • Ohio Ag Equipment
    • items: agricultural equipment and supplies
    • Address: 3630 E Bluelick Rd, Lima, OH 45801
    • Web: ohioagequipment.com
  • Sugar Creek Orchard
    • items: apple orchard, apples, apple cider
    • Address: 5395 Sugar Creek Rd, Lima, OH 45807

Final Thoughts

We love to discover food and products from local farms. Whether you are visiting a farm stand, participating in a CSA, or attending a local farmers’ market, you will know that you are supporting your neighbors while investing in your community. Choosing to shop from a local farm in Allen County, Ohio is an investment in your health and your community. If you are looking for more awesome local farms, then check out the Ohio Local Farm Directory where we are continuously adding more Ohio local farms.

If you found this article helpful or if you have chosen to shop from one of these farms, we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Pin This Post

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are you human? Please solve:Captcha